Pangasius

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A sizeable catfish found in the rivers of Southeast Asia, commonly farmed for food and recognized by its streamlined body and whisker-like barbels
2. A Southeast Asian freshwater catfish species widely cultivated in aquaculture and valued as a food fish for its mild white flesh
3. A catfish indigenous to Southeast Asian waterways, extensively farmed commercially and distinguished by its elongated form and barbelled mouth

Etymology: Pangasius is a genus of freshwater catfish from South and Southeast Asia, and its name was borrowed from Bengali, where "paṅgaś" is the local word for the fish. The name passed into the scientific and commercial vocabulary of fish without being translated, so the Bengali term itself is what English speakers adopted. The fish is far from an obscure curiosity in global trade. Its name now appears on many fillets sold in shops and restaurants, which means a word from the Bengal delta reaches many kitchens without most buyers knowing its origin.

Synonyms: catfish